Ebola nurse Pauline Cafferkey talks about the stress of NMC inquiry

Posted 01 August 2016 - 10:43

Pauline Cafferkey said it is ‘very stressful’ to remain under NMC investigation

Pauline Cafferkey, the British nurse who almost died from the Ebola virus has spoken of her stress over misconduct allegations.

The claims remain unresolved more than 18 months on from her return to the UK.

Ms Cafferkey became infected with Ebola while working in Sierra Leone in December 2014, at the height of the epidemic in west Africa. She flew back to the UK that month and went on to spend almost a month in an isolation unit at the Royal Free Hospital in London.

She made a recovery but was readmitted twice after developing complications linked to the virus, and was critically ill at one stage.

Professional conduct

In February 2015, it emerged the Nursing and Midwifery Council was investigating Ms Cafferkey’s conduct after being passed information by Public Health England.

A preliminary hearing – in which the nurse was told she could continue to work – took place in March 2015. However, the case has not yet moved to a full hearing and remains at the investigation stage.

The Sunday Telegraph reported Ms Cafferkey as saying: ‘The report on how they are dealing with my case is ongoing. I don’t know why it has not been finished. It’s very stressful. It would be nice to have closure.’

Resolution

An NMC spokesperson said: ‘We are working closely with Ms Cafferkey and her representatives to ensure we reach a resolution as quickly as possible that meets the public interest.’

Ms Cafferkey insists she has no regrets about her decision to volunteer in Sierra Leone.

She was discharged from hospital at the end of February this year after being treated for the third time following complications. She had previously been treated for meningitis caused by Ebola.